PORTALES, N.M. – The Lubbock Christian University women's soccer team opens Lone Star Conference play with a trip to Portales to take on Eastern New Mexico Wednesday night.
Lubbock Christian (3-1-2) at Eastern New Mexico (1-2-3)
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 – 8:00 PM (CT)
Greyhound Stadium – Portales, N.M.
LAST TIME OUT
LADY CHAP HEADERS
- The Lady Chaps are off to a 3-1-2 start and look to open LSC play with a victory for a second consecutive season.
- LCU is averaging 1.83 goals per game with an average of 14.0 shots per game.
- LCU has outscored their opponents 11 to seven through the first six games.
- The Lady Chap defense is holding opponents to just 9.5 shots per game with a .561 shot on goal percentage.
HOMETOWN HERO
- Lubbock native Lexi De La Cruz has been one of the best players in the nation this season.
- She ranks top-10 nationally in goals (8th), assists (2nd), points (4th), and assists per game (5th). She also ranks 11th in points per game with 2.50.
- Lexi ranks first in the Lone Star Conference in goals, shots on goal, and points. She is top-10 in the LSC in assists and shots.
SUPPORTING CAST
- Sophomore Graycen Rasmussen and Freshmen Emily Douglas have scored two goals each in 2023.
- Rasmussen had her first career multi goal game against New Mexico Highlands.
- Douglas scored her second goal of the season in the match against Wayland Baptist.
- Rasmussen and Douglas are tied for 10th in the LSC in goals.
- Graycen is also in the top-10 in shots on goal and shots.
FURTHER BACK
- The Lubbock Christian women's soccer program began in 2010 with a 5-2 loss to UT Permian Basin. On Sept. 2, 2021, they recorded the 100th win in program history, beating New Mexico Highlands 4-1. The Lady Chap program enters the 2023 season with an overall record of 115-84-28.
THE SERIES WITH EASTERN NEW MEXICO
- LCU is 3-1-2 all-time against the Greyhounds.
- The last meeting ended in a 0-0 draw.
- LCU is unbeaten in the last four matches.
SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS
- ENMU enters Wednesday's contest with a 1-2-3 record.
- The only common opponent they have with LCU is New Mexico Highlands. The Greyhounds pulled off a 2-1 win over the Cowgirls.
- The Greyhounds finished 5-10-2 (3-7-2) in 2022, finishing 10th in the LSC.
- ENMU has been outscored six to 10 in 2023 and outshot 43 to 68.
- Sydney Saxon and Emma Hafenbrak are the leading goal scorers for the Greyhounds with two goals each.
- Haley Huff and Nina Ballesteros scored the other two goals for ENMU.
- Goalkeeper Samantha Jeffries was named LSC Goalkeeper of the Week in the opening week of the season. She has made 23 saves on 63 shots faced in 2023. Jeffries allows 1.54 goals per game and has a .719 save percentage.
- Defender Sofia Trejo was named LSC Defensive Player of the Week in the opening week of the season.
- Their opponents are averaging 1.67 goals per game with a .529 shot on goal percentage.
- ENMU is coached by Eric Belcher who is in his second season.
- In the LSC Preseason Poll they were picked to finish in 12th place. Abby Ditzler, Sierra Villanueva, and Samantha Jeffries were named players to watch.
A WIN WOULD
- Be the 119th win in program history.
- Give LCU a conference opening win for a second consecutive season.
